Display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and display
device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes a first area and a second area. A pixel density of the first area is greater than that of the second area. In the second area, each pixel includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a fourth sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel are in a same sub-pixel row. The first sub-pixel is between the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are in a same sub-pixel column. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are respectively in adjacent sub-pixel rows. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel has a same emission color. The first sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel have different emission colors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/073476,filed on Jan. 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, andin particular, to a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and adisplay device.

BACKGROUND

At present, ordinary terminal display products (e.g., an AMOLED(Active-Matrix Organic Light emitting Diode) display screen) have auniform resolution. For example, a QHD (Quarter High Definition) displayscreen or an FHD (Full High Definition) display screen have uniformresolution. However, such display products are no longer able to meetpeople's needs for display screens. With the development of small andmedium-sized display screens, terminal display products are movingtoward smaller and smaller appearance frames. The smart function devicesor sensor devices (such as infrared induction devices) to be mounted mayoccupy a major part of the frame.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, adisplay panel is provided. The display panel comprises: a first area anda second area, wherein a pixel density of the first area is greater thanthat of the second area; wherein in the second area, each pixelcomprises a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, anda fourth sub-pixel; the first sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and thefourth sub-pixel are in a same sub-pixel row, the first sub-pixel isbetween the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel, and the firstsub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel have differentemission colors; and the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are ina same sub-pixel column; the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixelare respectively in adjacent sub-pixel rows, or the first sub-pixel andthe second sub-pixel share a same sub-pixel driving circuit; and thefirst sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel has a same emission color.

In some embodiments, the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel areboth green sub-pixels, the third sub-pixel is a red sub-pixel, and thefourth sub-pixel is a blue sub-pixel.

In some embodiments, the second area comprises a plurality ofnon-light-emitting areas; in the second area, two pixels in a same pixelrow are spaced apart by at least one non-light-emitting area.

In some embodiments, in two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, apixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows and an adjacentpixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows are in a samepixel column.

In some embodiments, in two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, apixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows and an adjacentpixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows are indifferent pixel columns.

In some embodiments, in the two adjacent pixel rows of the second area,in a case where a pixel in the one pixel row of the two adjacent pixelrows and an adjacent pixel in the another pixel row of the two adjacentpixel rows are in different pixel columns, the fourth sub-pixels ofthese two pixels are in a same sub-pixel column, and the thirdsub-pixels of these two pixels are in different sub-pixel columns; orthe third sub-pixels of these two pixels are in a same sub-pixel column,and the fourth sub-pixels of these two pixels are in different sub-pixelcolumns.

In some embodiments, a sub-pixel of the first area that is in a samesub-pixel column as a green sub-pixel of the second area is a greensub-pixel.

In some embodiments, in each pixel of the second area, a light emittingdevice of the first sub-pixel of the each pixel and a light emittingdevice of the second sub-pixel of the each pixel are electricallyconnected to the same sub-pixel driving circuit.

In some embodiments, in each pixel of the second area, a light emittingdevice of the first sub-pixel of the each pixel is electricallyconnected to one sub-pixel driving circuit, and a light emitting deviceof the second sub-pixel of the each pixel is electrically connected toanother sub-pixel driving circuit.

In some embodiments, each sub-pixel row comprises a plurality ofsub-pixels electrically connected to a same gate line; each sub-pixelcolumn comprises a plurality of sub-pixels electrically connected to asame data line.

In some embodiments, an area of an opening of the red sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of an opening of the red sub-pixel inthe first area; an area of the opening of a green sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of an opening of the green sub-pixel inthe first area; an area of the opening of the blue sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of an opening of the blue sub-pixel inthe first area.

In some embodiments, in partial pixels of the second area, an opening ofthe third sub-pixel and an opening of the fourth sub-pixel are in a sameopening row, an opening of the first sub-pixel is in a next opening rowadjacent to an opening row where the opening of the third sub-pixel islocated, an opening of the second sub-pixel is in a previous opening rowadjacent to the opening row where the opening of the third sub-pixel islocated.

In some embodiments, in partial pixels of the second area, an opening ofthe third sub-pixel and an opening of the fourth sub-pixel are in a sameopening row, an opening of the first sub-pixel and an opening of thesecond sub-pixel are between the opening of the third sub-pixel and theopening of the fourth sub-pixel, and the opening of the first sub-pixeland the opening of the second sub-pixel are in a same opening column.

In some embodiments, a proportion of openings of sub-pixels of eachpixel in the second area is equal to that of openings of sub-pixels ofeach pixel in the first area.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, adisplay device is provided. The display device comprises: the displaypanel as described previously.

In some embodiments, the display device further comprises: a sensormounted on a backside of the second area of the display panel.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, amanufacturing method for the display panel as described previously isprovided. The manufacturing method comprises: providing an initialstructure comprising a substrate and a pixel definition layer on thesubstrate, the substrate comprising a first portion for forming thefirst area and a second portion for forming the second area, the pixeldefinition layer comprising a plurality of openings, and a density ofopenings of the pixel definition layer on the first portion is greaterthan that of openings of the pixel definition layer on the secondportion; and forming a light emitting layer on the initial structure byusing a mask and by an evaporation process, with a part of the lightemitting layer formed in the plurality of openings, wherein the maskcomprises a plurality of through holes, a part of the plurality ofthrough holes exposes the plurality of openings, and a density ofthrough holes in the mask corresponding to the first portion is equal tothat of through holes in the mask corresponding to the second portion.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this specification,illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, togetherwith this specification, serve to explain the principles of the presentdisclosure.

The present disclosure may be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a sub-pixel arrangement of a displaypanel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a sub-pixel arrangement of a displaypanel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing an opening arrangement of asub-pixel of a display panel according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing an opening arrangement of asub-pixel of a display panel according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a partial circuit structure of afirst sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel in a pixel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing method for a displaypanel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure in onestage during manufacture of a display panel according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure inanother stage during manufacture of a display panel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure inanother stage during manufacture of a display panel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the dimensions of the various parts shownin the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actualscale. In addition, the same or similar reference signs are used todenote the same or similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thedescription of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and isin no way intended as a limitation to the present disclosure, itsapplication or use. The present disclosure may be implemented in manydifferent forms, which are not limited to the embodiments describedherein. These embodiments are provided to make the present disclosurethorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the presentdisclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noticed that:relative arrangement of components and steps, material composition,numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in theseembodiments, unless specifically stated otherwise, should be explainedas merely illustrative, and not as a limitation.

The use of the terms “first”, “second” and similar words in the presentdisclosure do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but aremerely used to distinguish between different parts. A word such as“comprise”, “include” or variants thereof means that the element beforethe word covers the element(s) listed after the word without excludingthe possibility of also covering other elements. The terms “up”, “down”,“left”, “right”, or the like are used only to represent a relativepositional relationship, and the relative positional relationship may bechanged correspondingly if the absolute position of the described objectchanges.

In the present disclosure, when it is described that a particular deviceis located between the first device and the second device, there may bean intermediate device between the particular device and the firstdevice or the second device, and alternatively, there may be nointermediate device. When it is described that a particular device isconnected to other devices, the particular device may be directlyconnected to said other devices without an intermediate device, andalternatively, may not be directly connected to said other devices butwith an intermediate device.

All the terms (comprising technical and scientific terms) used in thepresent disclosure have the same meanings as understood by those skilledin the art of the present disclosure unless otherwise defined. It shouldalso be understood that terms as defined in general dictionaries, unlessexplicitly defined herein, should be interpreted as having meanings thatare consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art,and not to be interpreted in an idealized or extremely formalized sense.

Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill inthe relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate,these techniques, methods, and apparatuses should be considered as partof this specification.

In the related art, a smart function device or a sensor device may beprovided on the backside of the display screen. However, the inventorsof the present disclosure have found that, since the backplane circuitof the display panel has a relatively high wiring density, this maycause, for example, the transmittance of infrared light to decrease,which will not achieve the purpose of infrared detection. The inventorsof the present disclosure propose that, the backplane circuit may bedivided into different areas, so that the screen is divided into ahigh-resolution area and a low-resolution area, and the smart functiondevice or a sensor device may be provided on the backside of thelow-resolution area. However, considering the display requirements, inthe case where the resolution of the low-resolution area is reduced to acertain extent, if the RGBG sub-pixel arrangement manner is used in thelow-resolution area (R represents a red sub-pixel, G represents a greensub-pixel, and B represents a blue sub-pixel), with a large pitchbetween adjacent pixels, it is very difficult to display when one pixelborrows a sub-pixel (e.g. a green sub-pixel) from another pixel fordisplay.

In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a displaypanel to improve the display effect in the low-resolution area.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a sub-pixel arrangement of a displaypanel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display panel comprises a first area 10 and asecond area 20. The pixel density of the first area 10 is greater thanthat of the second area 20. That is, the number of pixels per unit areain the first area 10 is greater than the number of pixels per unit areain the second area 20. In this way, a resolution of the first area ishigher than that of the second area. The first area may be referred toas a high-resolution area (referred to as an H area), and the secondarea may be referred to as a low-resolution area (referred to as an Larea). For example, a PPI (pixels per inch) of the first area may beabout 400, and a PPI of the second area may be about 170. It is verifiedthat, the display effect with a minimum PPI of about 170 may be visuallyaccepted. Of course, the range of the PPI of the second area inembodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to 170.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the second area 20, each pixel 200 may comprise afirst sub-pixel 201, a second sub-pixel 202, a third sub-pixel 203, anda fourth sub-pixel 204. The first sub-pixel 201, the third sub-pixel203, and the fourth sub-pixel 204 are in a same sub-pixel row. Forexample, the first sub-pixel 201, the third sub-pixel 203, and thefourth sub-pixel 204 are in a same sub-pixel row 212. The firstsub-pixel 201 is between the third sub-pixel 203 and the fourthsub-pixel 204. The first sub-pixel 201 and the second sub-pixel 202 arein a same sub-pixel column. The first sub-pixel 201 and the secondsub-pixel 202 are respectively in adjacent sub-pixel rows. For example,the first sub-pixel 201 is in the sub-pixel row 212, and the secondsub-pixel 202 is in another sub-pixel row 211 adjacent to the sub-pixelrow 212. In this way, the first sub-pixel 201 is adjacent to the secondsub-pixel 202. In other embodiments, the first sub-pixel 201 and thesecond sub-pixel 202 share a same sub-pixel driving circuit. Forexample, a light emitting device of the first sub-pixel 201 and a lightemitting device of the second sub-pixel 202 are electrically connectedto the same sub-pixel driving circuit. The first sub-pixel 201 and thesecond sub-pixel 202 has a same emission color. The first sub-pixel 201,the third sub-pixel 203, and the fourth sub-pixel 204 have differentemission colors.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the first sub-pixel 201 and thesecond sub-pixel 202 may both be green sub-pixels G, the third sub-pixel203 may be a red sub-pixel R, and the fourth sub-pixel 204 may be a bluesub-pixel B. Of course, the scope of embodiments of the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first sub-pixel andthe second sub-pixel may both be red sub-pixels, the third sub-pixel maybe a blue sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel may be a green sub-pixel.For another example, the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel mayboth be blue sub-pixels, the third sub-pixel may be a red sub-pixel, andthe fourth sub-pixel may be a green sub-pixel.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each sub-pixel rowcomprises a plurality of sub-pixels electrically connected to a samegate line (not shown). For example, each sub-pixel comprises a sub-pixeldriving circuit, and the sub-pixel driving circuits of the sub-pixels inthe same sub-pixel row are electrically connected to the same gate line.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each sub-pixel columncomprises a plurality of sub-pixels electrically connected to a samedata line (not shown). For example, each sub-pixel comprises thesub-pixel driving circuit, and the sub-pixel driving circuits of thesub-pixels in the same sub-pixel column are electrically connected tothe same data line.

In the above-described embodiment, the display panel comprises a firstarea having a high resolution and a second area having a low resolution.In the second area, each pixel comprises a first sub-pixel, a secondsub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a fourth sub-pixel. The firstsub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel are in the samesub-pixel row. The first sub-pixel is between the third sub-pixel andthe fourth sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel arein the same sub-pixel column. The first sub-pixel is adjacent to thesecond sub-pixel. In this way, when the second area having the lowresolution is displayed, one pixel of the second area does not need toborrow a sub-pixel from another pixel for display, so that the displayeffect of the second area (i.e., the low-resolution area) may beimproved.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the second area 20 may comprisea plurality of non-light-emitting areas 230. For example, eachnon-light-emitting area 230 may occupy an area having a size of 2×3sub-pixels. In the second area 20, two pixels in a same pixel row arespaced apart by at least one non-light-emitting area 230.

For example, each pixel row comprises two adjacent sub-pixel rows. Forexample, the pixel row 210 may comprise the sub-pixel rows 211 and 212.Since each pixel comprises the third sub-pixel, the fourth sub-pixel,and the first sub-pixel, all of which are in one sub-pixel row, and thesecond sub-pixel in another (for example a previous) sub-pixel row, eachpixel row may comprise two adjacent sub-pixel rows.

For another example, when the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixelshare the same sub-pixel driving circuit, the first sub-pixel and thesecond sub-pixel are electrically connected to the same gate line. Inthis case, each pixel row may comprise one sub-pixel row.

In some embodiments, in two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, apixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows and an adjacentpixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows are in a samepixel column. For example, in the second area, each pixel columncomprises three adjacent sub-pixel columns. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, a pixel column 240 may comprise sub-pixel columns 242, 241 and243 in which the first sub-pixel (or the second sub-pixel), the thirdsub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel in a same pixel are locatedrespectively. As shown in FIG. 1, in two adjacent pixel rows of thesecond area, a pixel (which for example, may be referred to as a firstpixel) in one pixel row 210 and another pixel (which for example, may bereferred to as a second pixel) adjacent to the pixel (i.e., the firstpixel) in another pixel row 220 are in the same pixel column 240. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 1, different pixel columns are spaced apartby a plurality of non-light-emitting areas in a same column.

In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a sub-pixel of thefirst area 10 that is in a same sub-pixel column as a green sub-pixel Gof the second area 20 is a green sub-pixel G. In other words, there areno red sub-pixels and blue sub-pixels in the sub-pixel columns where thegreen sub-pixels in the display panel are located.

In some embodiments, in each pixel 200 of the second area, a lightemitting device of the first sub-pixel 201 (e.g., the green sub-pixel)of the each pixel is electrically connected to one sub-pixel drivingcircuit (not shown in FIG. 1), and a light emitting device of the secondsub-pixel 202 (e.g., the green sub-pixel) of the each pixel iselectrically connected to another sub-pixel driving circuit (not shownin FIG. 1). That is, in the pixel of the second area, the firstsub-pixel comprises one sub-pixel driving circuit, and the secondsub-pixel comprises another sub-pixel driving circuit. The lightemitting devices of the two sub-pixels are driven to emit light throughdifferent sub-pixel driving circuits, respectively.

In other embodiments, in each pixel 200 of the second area, a lightemitting device of the first sub-pixel 201 (e.g., the green sub-pixel)of the each pixel and a light emitting device of the second sub-pixel202 (e.g., the green sub-pixel) of the each pixel are electricallyconnected to the same sub-pixel driving circuit. That is, the lightemitting device of the first sub-pixel and the light emitting device ofthe second sub-pixel of each pixel in the second area are driven to emitlight through the same sub-pixel driving circuit. In this way, eachpixel may omit a sub-pixel driving circuit of one sub-pixel, so that onesub-pixel driving circuit drives light emitting devices of twosub-pixels having the same color (e.g. the green sub-pixels) to emitlight. This may reduce the circuit complexity of the second area andimprove the light transmittance of the second area.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub-pixel arrangementmanner of each pixel in the first area (i.e., the high-resolution area)is RGBG or BGRG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a sub-pixel arrangement of a displaypanel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, in two adjacent pixel rows ofthe second area 20, a pixel in one pixel row 210 of the two adjacentpixel rows and an adjacent pixel in another pixel row 220 of the twoadjacent pixel rows are in different pixel columns. For example, onepixel (for example which may be referred to as a first pixel) in thepixel row 210 is in a pixel column 240, and a pixel (for example whichmay be referred to as a second pixel) in the pixel row 220 that isadjacent to the first pixel is in a pixel column 250. Therefore, the twoadjacent pixels in different pixel rows are in different pixel columns.

For example, in the second area, each pixel column may comprise threeadjacent sub-pixel columns. It should be noted that, different pixelcolumns may not have a common sub-pixel column, for example, as shown inFIG. 1; or different pixel columns may have a common sub-pixel column,for example, the pixel columns 240 and 250 as shown in FIG. 2 have acommon sub-pixel column.

By the above-described sub-pixel arrangement, the pixel rows of thesecond area (i.e., the low-resolution area) may be staggered. Forexample, the first row is RGGB and BGGR, and the next row becomes BGGRand RGGB. This may reduce a color edge phenomenon. Here, the color edgephenomenon is a poor display effect that is visually perceivable. Forexample, if a white rectangular frame, a triangular frame, or hypotenuseis displayed, color lines instead of white lines may be seen at an edgeline position of a pattern. This phenomenon is referred to as the coloredge phenomenon.

In some embodiments, in two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, in acase where a pixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows andan adjacent pixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rowsare in different pixel columns, fourth sub-pixels of these two pixelsare in a same sub-pixel column, and third sub-pixels of these two pixelsare in different sub-pixel columns. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, inthe second area 20, for two adjacent pixels in the pixel columns 240 and250, the fourth sub-pixels (e.g., blue sub-pixels) of the two pixels arein the same sub-pixel column, and the third sub-pixels (e.g., redsub-pixels) of the two pixels are in different sub-pixel columns. Thismay reduce the color edge phenomenon.

In other embodiments, in two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, inthe case where a pixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rowsand an adjacent pixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixelrows are in different pixel columns, the third sub-pixels of these twopixels are in a same sub-pixel column, and the fourth sub-pixels ofthese two pixels are in different sub-pixel columns. For example, asshown in FIG. 2, in the second area 20, for two adjacent pixels in thepixel columns 260 and 270, the third sub-pixels (e.g., red sub-pixels)of the two pixels are in the same sub-pixel column, and the fourthsub-pixels (e.g., blue sub-pixels) of the two pixels are in differentsub-pixel columns. This may reduce the color edge phenomenon.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing an opening arrangement of asub-pixel of a display panel according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment in which the light emittingdevice of the first sub-pixel and the light emitting device of thesecond sub-pixel do not share one sub-pixel driving circuit. Herein, anopening of each sub-pixel refers to an opening of the pixel defininglayer (referred to as PDL for short) corresponding to the eachsub-pixels. As shown in FIG. 3A, the sub-pixels of different colors havedifferent opening shapes. FIG. 3A shows an opening 311 of the firstsub-pixel (e.g., one green sub-pixel G), an opening 312 of the secondsub-pixel (e.g., another green sub-pixel G), and an opening 313 of thethird sub-pixel (e.g., the red sub-pixel) and an opening 314 of thefourth sub-pixel (e.g., the blue sub-pixel). The openings (a total of 4openings) of the respective sub-pixels comprised in each pixel may forman opening group, such as opening groups 301 and 302 shown in FIG. 3A.

Here, the row in which the opening of the sub-pixel is located may bedefined as an “opening row”, and the column in which the opening of thesub-pixel is located is defined as an “opening column”.

In some embodiments, in partial pixels of the second area, the openingsof the sub-pixels in a same sub-pixel row may be in a same opening row.In the following, the opening group 301 in FIG. 3A is taken as anexample for description. In the opening group 301, the opening 313 ofthe third sub-pixel (e.g., the red sub-pixel R) and the opening 314 ofthe fourth sub-pixel (e.g., the blue sub-pixel B) are in the sameopening row. The opening 311 of the first sub-pixel (e.g., one greensub-pixel G) and the opening 312 of the second sub-pixel (e.g., anothergreen sub-pixel G) are between the opening 313 of the third sub-pixeland the opening 314 of the fourth sub-pixel. The opening 311 of thefirst sub-pixel and the opening 312 of the second sub-pixel are in asame opening column.

In other embodiments, in partial pixels of the second area, the openingsof the sub-pixels in a same sub-pixel row may be in different openingrows. In the following, the opening group 302 in FIG. 3A is taken as anexample for description. In the opening group 302, the opening of thethird sub-pixel (e.g., the red sub-pixel R) and the opening of thefourth sub-pixel (e.g., the blue sub-pixel B) are in a same opening row.The opening of the first sub-pixel (e.g., one green sub-pixel G) is anext opening row adjacent to the opening row where the opening of thethird sub-pixel (e.g., the red sub-pixel R) is located. The opening ofthe second sub-pixel (e.g., another green sub-pixel G) is a previousopening row adjacent to the opening row where the opening of the thirdsub-pixel (e.g., the red sub-pixel R) is located.

In some embodiments, a proportion of openings of sub-pixels of eachpixel in the second area is equal to that of openings of sub-pixels ofeach pixel in the first area, which may reduce the probability of colorcast.

Here, an area of the opening is substantially equal to a light emittingarea of the sub-pixel. The proportion of the openings is a proportion ofthe light emitting areas of the RGB three-color sub-pixels of the pixel.Here, the light emitting area of the green sub-pixel is a sum of thelight emitting areas of the two green sub-pixels in the pixel. Forexample, the proportion of the openings of the RGB three-colorsub-pixels in the first area (i.e., the high-resolution area) is1:1.2:1.6 (or 1:1.2:1.8), and the proportion of the openings of the RGBthree-color sub-pixels in the second area is also 1:1.2:1.6 (or1:1.2:1.8).

It should be noted that, the equal proportion of the openings of eachpixel of the two areas described here comprises, but is not limited to,absolute equal proportion. For example, there may be a certain error,and within an error range, the proportion of the openings of thesub-pixels in the second area is substantially equal to the proportionof the openings of the sub-pixels in the first area.

In some embodiments, an area of the opening of the red sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of the opening of the red sub-pixel inthe first area. An area of the opening of the green sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of the opening of the green sub-pixelin the first area. An area of the opening of the blue sub-pixel in thesecond area is greater than that of the opening of the blue sub-pixel inthe first area. Since part of a light emitting layer within the openingemits light under the effect of an electric field, it is possible toenlarge the light emitting area of the second area (i.e., thelow-resolution area), extend the service life of the second area andimprove brightness of the second area by increasing the area of theopening oft the corresponding color sub-pixel in the second area.

In other embodiments, the area of the opening of the red sub-pixel inthe second area may be equal to that of the opening of the red sub-pixelin the first area. The area of the opening of the green sub-pixel in thesecond area may be equal to that of the opening of the green sub-pixelin the first area. The area of the opening of the blue sub-pixel in thesecond area may be equal to that of the opening of the blue sub-pixel inthe first area.

In some embodiments, a connection end 350 of each sub-pixel is alsoshown in FIG. 3A. For example, the connection ends 350 of the sub-pixelsin the same sub-pixel row are electrically connected to the same gateline (not shown).

FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing an opening arrangement of asub-pixel of a display panel according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In addition to the same or a similar structure asthat shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B also shows a connecting member 320. Forexample, the connecting member may be a wire. The connecting member 320is electrically connected to the light emitting device of the firstsub-pixel (e.g., one green sub-pixel G) and the light emitting device ofthe second sub-pixel (e.g., another green sub-pixel G), so that thelight emitting device of the first sub-pixel and the light emittingdevice of the second sub-pixel are electrically connected to the samesub-pixel driving circuit. That is, the light emitting device of thefirst sub-pixel and the light emitting device of the second sub-pixelmay share one sub-pixel driving circuit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a partial circuit structure of afirst sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel in a pixel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The light emitting device (which hereinafter may be referred to as afirst light emitting device) 410 of the first sub-pixel and the lightemitting device (which hereinafter may be referred to as a second lightemitting device) 420 of the second sub-pixel are shown in FIG. 4. Forexample, the first light emitting device and the second light emittingdevice may both be OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes). An anode ofthe first light emitting device 410 and an anode of the second lightemitting device 420 are electrically connected to an electrode (e.g., asource or a drain) of a same driving transistor 430. This means that thefirst light emitting device 410 and the second light emitting device 420are electrically connected to the same sub-pixel driving circuit. Itshould be noted that, although other components of the sub-pixel drivingcircuit are not shown in FIG. 4, those skilled in the art can understandthe circuit structure of the sub-pixel driving circuit. As shown in FIG.4, a cathode of the first light emitting device 410 and a cathode of thesecond light emitting device 420 are both grounded.

In this embodiment, the light emitting device of the first sub-pixel andthe light emitting device of the second sub-pixel of each pixel in thesecond area share one sub-pixel driving circuit, which may reduce thecircuit complexity of the second area and improve the lighttransmittance of the second area.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.5, the display device may comprise a display panel 510. The displaypanel 510 may comprise the first area 10 and the second area 20. Forexample, the sub-pixel arrangement of the display panel 510 may be asshown in FIG. 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the display device may furthercomprise a sensor 520 mounted on a backside of the second area 20 of thedisplay panel 510. For example, the sensor 520 may comprise an infraredsensor or the like. It should be noted that, the sensor may or may notbe electrically connected to the display panel. By mounting the sensoron the backside of the second area having a low resolution, it isfavorable for light (such as infrared light) to pass through the secondarea without being affected by the wiring density of the display panelas much as possible, so that the light is received by the sensor. Thismay improve the detection effect.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing method for a displaypanel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, the manufacturing method may comprise steps S602 to S604. FIGS.7 to 9 are schematic cross-sectional views showing structures of severalstages during manufacture of a display panel according to someembodiments of the present disclosure. The manufacturing method for thedisplay panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosurewill be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step S602, an initial structure is provided. Theinitial structure comprises a substrate and a pixel definition layer onthe substrate. The substrate comprises a first portion for forming thefirst area and a second portion for forming the second area. The pixeldefinition layer comprises a plurality of openings. A density ofopenings of the pixel definition layer on the first portion is greaterthan that of openings of the pixel definition layer on the secondportion.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure at stepS602 during manufacture of a display panel according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, an initial structure isprovided. The initial structure may comprise a substrate 710 and a pixeldefinition layer 720 on the substrate 710. For example, the substratemay comprise a substrate layer (not shown) and a structural layer (notshown) on the substrate layer. For example, the substrate layer maycomprise a flexible substrate layer. For example, the structural layermay comprise a structural layer (such as a source, a drain, a gate, asemiconductor layer, etc.) of a driving transistor or an anode layer orthe like. The substrate 710 may comprise a first portion 711 for formingthe first area and a second portion 712 for forming the second area.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pixel definition layer 720 may comprise aplurality of openings 722. A density of openings of the pixel definitionlayer 720 on the first portion 711 is greater than that of openings ofthe pixel definition layer 720 on the second portion 712. That is, thenumber of openings per unit area of the pixel definition layer 720 onthe first portion 711 is greater than the number of openings per unitarea of the pixel definition layer 720 on the second portion 712.

In some embodiments, the initial structure may further comprisefunctional layers (not shown) overlying the pixel definition layer 720and the substrate 710. For example, the functional layers may comprise ahole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, and the like.

Returning to FIG. 6, at step S604, a light emitting layer is formed onthe initial structure by using a mask and by an evaporation process,with a part of the light emitting layer formed in the plurality ofopenings.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views showing structures attwo stages of step S602 during manufacture of a display panel accordingto some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process of the stepS602 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a mask 830 is covered on the pixeldefinition layer 720. For example, the mask may be a fine metal mask(FMM). The mask 830 may comprise a plurality of through holes 833. Apart of the plurality of through holes 833 exposes the plurality ofopenings 722. Here, the number of the through holes 833 is greater thanthat of the openings 722. Therefore, each opening 722 may be alignedwith one through hole 833, but there may be no openings 722 below a partof the through holes 833. As shown in FIG. 8, a density of through holesin the mask 830 corresponding to the first portion 711 (i.e.,corresponding to the first area) is equal to that of through holes inthe mask 830 corresponding to the second portion 712 (i.e. correspondingto the second area).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a light emitting layer 840 is formed by usingthe mask 830 and by an evaporation process. The light emitting layercovers the mask 830, and fills the plurality of through holes 833 andthe plurality of openings 722.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a part of the light emitting layer 840 outsidethe plurality of through holes 833 and the plurality of openings 722 isremoved, and the mask 830 is removed, so that the light emitting layer840 is divided into a plurality of portions.

Those skilled in the art can understand that, the manufacturing methodfor the display panel may further comprise steps for forming otherfunctional layers (such as an electron transport layer and a holeblocking layer and the like) and a cathode layer (not shown). Thoseskilled in the art can understand the process of forming these layersaccording to the known art, which will not be described in detail here.

So far, a manufacturing method for a display panel according to someembodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In this manufacturingmethod, the density of the through holes of the mask corresponding tothe first area is equal to that of the through holes of the maskcorresponding to the second area. In this way, it is not necessary tomanufacture the densities of the through holes of the mask correspondingto the two areas into different conditions, so that the manufacturingprocess is more convenient and simple. This may guarantee massproduction to a certain extent.

Hereto, various embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail. Some details well known in the art are notdescribed to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure.According to the above description, those skilled in the art would fullyknow how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein.

Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art shouldunderstand that the above examples are only for the purpose ofillustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art thatmodifications to the above embodiments and equivalently substitution ofpart of the technical features may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the disclosureis defined by the following claims.

1. A display panel, comprising: a first area and a second area, whereina pixel density of the first area is greater than that of the secondarea; wherein in the second area, each pixel comprises a firstsub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a fourthsub-pixel; the first sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourthsub-pixel are in a same sub-pixel row, the first sub-pixel is betweenthe third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel, and the first sub-pixel,the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel have different emissioncolors; and the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are in a samesub-pixel column; the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel arerespectively in adjacent sub-pixel rows, or the first sub-pixel and thesecond sub-pixel share a same sub-pixel driving circuit; and the firstsub-pixel and the second sub-pixel has a same emission color.
 2. Thedisplay panel according to claim 1, wherein, the first sub-pixel and thesecond sub-pixel are both green sub-pixels, the third sub-pixel is a redsub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel is a blue sub-pixel.
 3. The displaypanel according to claim 1, wherein, the second area comprises aplurality of non-light-emitting areas; in the second area, two pixels ina same pixel row are spaced apart by at least one non-light-emittingarea.
 4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein, in twoadjacent pixel rows of the second area, a pixel in one pixel row of thetwo adjacent pixel rows and an adjacent pixel in another pixel row ofthe two adjacent pixel rows are in a same pixel column.
 5. The displaypanel according to claim 3, wherein, in two adjacent pixel rows of thesecond area, a pixel in one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows andan adjacent pixel in another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rowsare in different pixel columns.
 6. The display panel according to claim5, wherein, in the two adjacent pixel rows of the second area, in a casewhere a pixel in the one pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rows and anadjacent pixel in the another pixel row of the two adjacent pixel rowsare in different pixel columns, fourth sub-pixels of these two pixelsare in a same sub-pixel column, and third sub-pixels of these two pixelsare in different sub-pixel columns; or the third sub-pixels of these twopixels are in a same sub-pixel column, and the fourth sub-pixels ofthese two pixels are in different sub-pixel columns.
 7. The displaypanel according to claim 2, wherein, a sub-pixel of the first area thatis in a same sub-pixel column as a green sub-pixel of the second area isa green sub-pixel.
 8. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein,in each pixel of the second area, a light emitting device of the firstsub-pixel of the each pixel and a light emitting device of the secondsub-pixel of the each pixel are electrically connected to the samesub-pixel driving circuit.
 9. The display panel according to claim 1,wherein, in each pixel of the second area, a light emitting device ofthe first sub-pixel of the each pixel is electrically connected to onesub-pixel driving circuit, and a light emitting device of the secondsub-pixel of the each pixel is electrically connected to anothersub-pixel driving circuit.
 10. The display panel according to claim 1,wherein, each sub-pixel row comprises a plurality of sub-pixelselectrically connected to a same gate line; each sub-pixel columncomprises a plurality of sub-pixels electrically connected to a samedata line.
 11. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein, an areaof an opening of the red sub-pixel in the second area is greater thanthat of an opening of the red sub-pixel in the first area; an area ofthe opening of a green sub-pixel in the second area is greater than thatof an opening of the green sub-pixel in the first area; an area of theopening of the blue sub-pixel in the second area is greater than that ofan opening of the blue sub-pixel in the first area.
 12. The displaypanel according to claim 1, wherein, in partial pixels of the secondarea, an opening of the third sub-pixel and an opening of the fourthsub-pixel are in a same opening row, an opening of the first sub-pixelis in a next opening row adjacent to an opening row where the opening ofthe third sub-pixel is located, an opening of the second sub-pixel is ina previous opening row adjacent to the opening row where the opening ofthe third sub-pixel is located.
 13. The display panel according to claim1, wherein, in partial pixels of the second area, an opening of thethird sub-pixel and an opening of the fourth sub-pixel are in a sameopening row, an opening of the first sub-pixel and an opening of thesecond sub-pixel are between the opening of the third sub-pixel and theopening of the fourth sub-pixel, and the opening of the first sub-pixeland the opening of the second sub-pixel are in a same opening column.14. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein, a proportion ofopenings of sub-pixels of each pixel in the second area is equal to thatof openings of sub-pixels of each pixel in the first area.
 15. A displaydevice, comprising: the display panel according to claim
 1. 16. Thedisplay device according to claim 15, further comprising: a sensormounted on a backside of the second area of the display panel.
 17. Amanufacturing method for the display panel according to claim 1,comprising: providing an initial structure comprising a substrate and apixel definition layer on the substrate, the substrate comprising afirst portion for forming the first area and a second portion forforming the second area, the pixel definition layer comprising aplurality of openings, and a density of openings of the pixel definitionlayer on the first portion is greater than that of openings of the pixeldefinition layer on the second portion; and forming a light emittinglayer on the initial structure by using a mask and by an evaporationprocess, with a part of the light emitting layer formed in the pluralityof openings, wherein the mask comprises a plurality of through holes, apart of the plurality of through holes exposes the plurality ofopenings, and a density of through holes in the mask corresponding tothe first portion is equal to that of through holes in the maskcorresponding to the second portion.